IVC introduces healthy eating video

Most people would believe that it is easier said than done, but local organizations are taking a visual approach in helping individuals identify healthier food options.

In a partnership between the Information and Volunteer Centre (IVC) of Strathcona County, Meals on Wheels, Sherwood Park Primary Care Network (PCN), and KEEN Creative, the organizations have launched the first in a series of videos aimed at educating people on healthier food choices and lifestyles.

The first video details how to read nutritional labels and portion size, with subsequent ones tagged for such common concerns as understanding how labels convey important information on sodium, fats and iron.

Klay Dyer, executive director of IVC, said the project was made possible with seed funding from Sun Life Financial, which was initially aimed at developing a project that would help expand the value of the partnership between IVC and Edmonton Meals on Wheels.

“The project was to focus specifically on the relationship between nutrition and diabetes,” Dyer said. “But after some discussion with the dietitians at Sherwood Park’s PCN, the project morphed toward the educational focus that will carry across the series as we look to address issues from a more holistic perspective. This series will be beneficial to people with diabetes, but also to people with other chronic health issues.”

Ginette Lavigne, clinical manager of the Sherwood Park PCN, said the project is a natural extension of the organization’s mission.

“The Sherwood Park PCN is excited to work with Meals on Wheels, KEEN Creative and IVC to continue to work towards our goal to educate Strathcona County residents on the role of nutrition in healthy lifestyles,” Lavigne said. “Nutrition, along with exercise and healthy habits, plays a crucial role in avoiding or managing chronic diseases like diabetes, so that people can enjoy a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.”

KEEN Creative account executive Amy MacKay, who has helped pull together the vision for the video series, said the project offered a great opportunity to give back to the community through its impressive in-house set of skills.

“KEEN Creative is thrilled to be working with IVC and Sherwood Park PCN to develop a series of educational videos that help enrich the great work that Meals on Wheels does,” MacKay said. “This first video really set the tone for the series, incorporating playful motion graphics, hand-drawn illustrations, 3D renderings, and captured footage to make the information easy to digest and fun to watch.

“We knew we could help develop a dynamic and engaging video that would help clients determine which products were a healthy fit for their lifestyles… and our team learned a lot as part of the process. We are excited to continue working on the series.”

Ashleigh Pardy of Meals on Wheels underscores how valuable the collaboration of four organizations will be.

“This instructional video series will positively affect a wide range of people in Strathcona County and across the Edmonton region,” she said. “By learning how to read and understand a nutrition label, people of all ages will be able to make healthier choices when it comes to their food. We are excited that the team at IVC has taken the lead on this project, and are grateful to be included in the process.”